Warning: The following story contains details of a tragic incident involving a child’s death in a hyperbaric chamber, which may be distressing to some readers.

At The Oxford Center in Troy, Michigan, a tragic event occurred on the 31st of January when five-year-old Thomas Cooper sadly lost his life. The youngster was undergoing oxygen therapy in a hyperbaric chamber when the facility had a fire break out, engulfing everything, the boy included. This was just after the facility opened at 8 am, shocking an entire community into mourning.

Mother’s Desperate Attempt to Save Her Son From The Hyperbaric Chamber
Little Thomas loved dressing up as Mario and playing with his little brother – who was his best friend
Image Credit: Family handout
Thomas’ mother, Annie Cooper desperately tried to save her son from the hyperbaric chamber which was engulfed in flames. Witnesses could only stand back and watch the mother make a heart-wrenching attempt at fighting the flames to get her son free. Despite her trying her absolute best to save him, Thomas was unfortunately gone.

Physical and Emotional Toll on Annie Cooper
Thomas was only five when he was tragically declared dead in a hyperbaric chamber which caught flame
Image Credit: Family handout
James Harrison, the family’s attorney brought up how the immensely tragic incident has affected his emotional client, Annie. “She has significant burns on her arm, and that was done during a rescue attempt to try to get her child out of the burning flames.” Harrington explained. “She was trying and trying to get him out and was unsuccessful. She does have visible burns, but the real problem for her is going to be the emotional trauma.”